By Grace Oakhiena & Sophia Iyamu
The Managing Director, Edo State Investment Promotion Office (ESIPO), Mr Kelvin Uwaibi, has called for the highest level of data security among tech start-ups in the State.
Uwaibi made the call in Benin City when a group of tech start-ups in Edo State paid him a courtesy visit to explore potential partnerships and collaboration. The meeting also focused on access to finance and energy, and how to create the right environment for the growing tech sector in the State.
While addressing issues on collaboration between the tech startups and the State Government, particularly through initiatives like Edojobs, Uwaibi said, “The data of Edo people must be treated with care because it is sacred.” He urged them to leverage the services and resources provided by the Government to foster growth and sustainability of the start-up ecosystem.
“The importance of trust and integrity in data management cannot be underestimated, if we are to ensure a successful collaboration between the tech community and the government,” Uwaibi said.
The ESIPO MD further noted that there was a clear gap in business acumen as evident by the number of successful trainings conducted and the number of tech startups operating in Edo State.
Responding to a brief presentation by members of the delegation, Mr. Uwaibi stressed the importance of good data security and management, urging the tech startups in Edo to always treat data with utmost responsibility.
Also speaking, the leader of the delegation and Hub Manager, Uniben Innovation Hub, Mr Oghenemarho Umunade, gave an overview of the tech ecosystem in Edo State, highlighting how their operation in Ugbowo Campus of the University of Benin has positioned the group to tap into the abundance of young talents, with emphasis on female inclusion.
Another member of the group, who is also the Project Manager of Grit In AI, Mr Paul Asibor, said their partnerships with Propel and Google Developers in Benin and University of Benin have led them so far to incubate two startups, with 20 percent of the entrepreneurs earning income from the skills acquired.
All parties, during the visit, agreed that collaboration and partnerships will drive innovation and growth in the Edo tech sector.
The courtesy call by the tech start-ups to ESIPO signifies the growing interest and potential in the technology ecosystem of Edo State. By fostering partnerships and providing training opportunities, ESIPO is poised to support the development of sustainable tech start-ups, and contribute to the overall growth and progress of the State.
As Edo State continues to embrace technology and innovation, the collaboration between tech entrepreneurs and government entities like ESIPO, EdoJobs and the Ministry of Digital Economy, Science and Technology highlights the commitment from the State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, to creating a conducive environment for the tech sector to thrive.
